Magnificent Chardonnay
You might not ever have heard the word Calcrete before but you are bound to hear more in the future.It is a kind of soil in which magnificent Chardonnay grapes are grown..It defines an area where broken shale rock with ancient petrified maritime deposits adds distinctive flavour to the magnificent wines. The name has been registered by a group of Robertson wine makers, some of the finest Chardonnay makers in SA, to differentiate their Calcrete Chardonnays from all others. The wines they are turning out can definitely be called beyond the valley of Chardonnay. They are vibrant and alive with a cool sensation on the palate, some steeliness and lime flavours, pure and brilliant, made with minimal intervention.
The labels to look out for are
WELTEVREDE
DE WETSHOF
EXCELSIOR
VAN LOVEREN
RIETVALLEI
BON COURAGE
Others could be added to the group in the future provided their wines meet the rigorous standards demanded.
Look out for them, you will love them. They are reasonably well priced at a level not likely to take your breath away– they are perfect with fish dishes, obviously, roast chicken and sushi of course. Each one has its own characteristics but the underlying thread of Calcrete defines them all.
Van Loveren
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